Confidentiality/ Consulatation

Targeted students, groups, individuals or witnesses reporting an incident may self-identify or remain anonymous. Anonymous reporting, however, may impact the university’s ability to respond or pursue appropriate action against the alleged perpetrators. Information about an incident may be disclosed (i.e. nature of the incident, location of incident, etc.) in the form of safety announcements, summary report updates, reports for disciplinary action or as required by law.

Suffolk University understands that a student or group of students who has been the target of a bias incident may wish to talk about the incident with the assurance that the discussion will be confidential. Students may speak with professional counselors in the Counseling Center or the University Chaplain confidentially for emotional support and may also choose to report a bias incident or hate crime according to the procedures noted below. Confidentiality may not be assured when there is imminent risk of harm to the targeted student, group of students or others.

Because these services are, in most cases, confidential, a discussion with any of the above resources will likely not result in a complaint being filed with the University or result in action being taken by the University to respond to the incident. A student who wants emotional support only should contact the confidential counseling resources listed above. A student wishing to have an incident investigated, mediated or adjudicated must make a complaint in accordance with the procedures described below.

The University endeavors to respect and follow the wishes of a student or group of students who bring forward a bias incident concern. However, students should understand that Suffolk may have ethical and legal obligations to investigate, attempt to resolve or adjudicate bias incidents of that come to its attention and also may have obligations to report the matter to the local police department. Therefore, depending on the circumstances, it may not be possible for a conversation with Suffolk University Police, a Resident Assistant, or other administrators to be kept in confidence, or, said another way, for these individuals simply to listen without taking action.

Staff members in the following departments are available to discuss bias incidents and hate crimes with students and provide support and information about University policies and services. Any reports of bias incidents and hate crimes (not the name of the targeted student or group) must be reported to the dean of students.